‘The Cripple’ comes to Newtown

The Teresa Brayton Players are on a five-night continuous run of The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh.

It started on Wednesday, October 10, and will run until Sunday, October 14 in Newtown Hall.

Rehearsals started back in the spring, were suspended for the summer and took up again eight weeks ago.

This staging is somewhat of a departure for the players as it’s the first time a play by what could be described as a modern writer has been undertaken. Although The Cripple is set in the 1920s, Martin McDonagh is very much a modern day playwright, filmmaker and screen writer.

He is most famous for his Leenane trilogy and his Oscar-nominated In Bruges screenplay.

His latest movie, Seven Pyschopaths, premiered in the last week. It’s also the first play in a long time that hasn’t been directed by Marion Dilllon. Marion is still involved though, taking on the duties of lighting director whilst Marion’s sister Anne Mallon is making her acting debut in this play

Directed by Paddy Cosgrave, “The Cripple of Inishmaan” is the poignant and darkly funny story of a physically-challenged young man, the small town target of cruel jokes, who becomes starry-eyed when an American film crew comes to a rural outpost near his community to shoot a major motion picture. “Cripple Billy” leaves the town to find a better life through this golden “movie star” opportunity.

Eventually he finds some respect and affection from among those who were the instigators of the ridicule.

Lastly, when Billy finds redemption among the townsfolk, a final twist of fate turns the tables again.

Cruel and savage, hilarious and heartwarming, this is Martin McDonagh at his twisted compassionate best.

With adult themes and strong language, this play is not suitable for younger audiences. You have been warned!

Seats are limited so buying tickets in advance is advisable as people had to be turned away last year. Tickets for the show are €10 for adults, €8 for students and OAP’s and are available in Enfield from Carol McDonald at McDonalds Topaz garage or can be reserved by phone at (086) 8278004.

All proceeds from the show will go to local charities. Get your tickets booked and come see a play that will be talked about for a long time to come!

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